Warren to pull a rabbit out of a hat

Warren Whiteley Photo: Samuel Shivambu

Warren Whiteley Photo: Samuel Shivambu

Published Jul 12, 2016

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Johannesburg - The good news just keeps on coming for the Lions. After collecting their trophy as Africa Conference 2 winners Friday and in line to finish the Super Rugby regular season as the team with the most log points, the Lions may also get back their inspirational No 8 and captain, Warren Whiteley, next week.

Whiteley, who injured his right shoulder during the Springboks’ 2-1 series win against Ireland last month, has not played since the third Test of that series on June 25, and was initially ruled out of action for up to six weeks.

In his absence the Lions have beaten the Sharks and Kings and gone top of the pile in the Super Rugby competition, with a game to go, against the Jaguares this weekend.

Ruan Ackermann has filled in admirably at No 8 in Whiteley’s absence, while Jaco Kriel has led the side.By next Monday - the week of the quarter-finals - Whiteley would have been sidelined for three weeks meaning it will be touch-and-go that he’s available for the first round of knockout matches, to be played at Ellis Park, no matter what happens this weekend.

“Warren is settling well with treatment and should start running this week. It is still too early to tell when he’ll be available,” said a statement issued by the Lions on Monday.

If he doesn’t make the quarter-finals, he’s almost certain to be ready for the semi-finals if the Lions go so far in the competition.But while the news on Whiteley is encouraging for the remainder of the competition, coach Johan Ackermann, it seems, is still uncertain who to take to Argentina this week.

He was supposed to name his touring group yesterday, but delayed it until this morning, no doubt to give himself more time to consider his options.He initially said he was keen to rest some of his key players - particularly the eight Springboks in his squad, who have played virtually non-stop since February and appeared a little tired against the Kings last Saturday - but may now be reconsidering.

If the Lions win in Buenos Aires they will play all their remaining matches at Ellis Park; that is the potential semi-final and final, if they go so far in the competition, giving themselves a brilliant chance of going all the way.If they come unstuck against the Jaguares, they may slip to third overall on the points table and be forced to travel abroad for a last-four clash.

Ackermann, though, is desperate to have a fresh and firing squad for the play-offs, but he’s also fully aware he can’t give up the strong position his players have got themselves into by gambling with a second-string side in Buenos Aires.

It’s almost a given, however, that Ackermann will rest the likes of Julian Redelinghuys, Franco Mostert, Faf de Klerk, Lionel Mapoe and possibly also Jaco Kriel and Elton Jantjies for the tour.

The incumbent Bok No 10 though may be called on to sit on the bench on Saturday as his obvious replacement Marnitz Boshoff is unavailable because of a knee injury.

On top of that, Jaco van der Walt, who did so well for the Lions at fullback when Andries Coetzee was injured, played only a handful of minutes for the Currie Cup team this last weekend after spending several weeks on the sidelines. He is hardly match-fit.

Other than that, the first choice Lions players are all fighting fit after last weekend’s match ... but are they mentally and physically up for a trip to Argentina this week? That’s the question Ackermann has to answer.

The Star

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